[JAC]

I've only been in the industry 5 yrs, And I've already seem and heard so much that I feel the need for a back up career. Most of the chefs I work with(hotel) have been cooking for many years, and many of them are now changing careers. Did you know we are the lowest paying trade, with some of the worst working conditions? In the tourisim Industry there are entry level jobs that require no experience, that make the same wage as a 2nd or 3rd commis. We do what we do because we luv food, and we luv the push, and kaos of it. But we should be paid fairly, we buy our own tools, clogs, ect, how many other jobs in this sector, or even maybe half the tades, have to supply thier own equiptment? We get treated like garbage by the servers, whom have no education or skill, and they make 2-6x the money we do. Food is a basic human need. Does anyone have any ideas, we all need to be treated fairly? We put passion, luv, sweat and tears in everyday, I think we are worth more... If you work in the industry, please look at other wages, servers, housekeepers, laundry, stewarding ect. Help!!!!

[foodpump]

Hope you got it off your chest. Yeah, alot of people (and I won't call them "Chefs") drift off after a couple of years, not what they expected, I guess, better money in selling insurance or designing websites....

You want a tough job, physicaly, mentally, financially? Try being a farmer. Next down the line is working for yourself--a contractor. Every contractor I've known, plumbing, construction, caterer, has a moaning list about people who've skipped off before paying, liens, about fights in small claims courts, hard-a** city/gov't inspectors. Then there's that downright nasty word: Overhead. Oh, and wages? Humph, they don't get wages, they earn what they can make.

If the job sucks, move on. Everyone's got a right to earn enough to keep themselves in some sort of lifestyle. If the job is good and the pay sucks, but you think you can milk some knowledge, working experience, friendship from that job, and stick with it until you've got what you want. Then use it to your advantage for your next job. Just make sure you work a minimum of one year in one place, O.K.?